Revamp Planned for ‘Eyesore’ Parramatta Leagues Club

Plans have been filed to modify the historic but much-maligned Parramatta Leagues Club.

In addition to an already approved 156-seat restaurant, the club is asking to add an internal gaming area and another alfresco games room as well as amenities on the lower ground floor.

External alterations include a new facade feature wall “to improve the vibrancy of the building” and a roof over the internal alfresco gaming area.

Accoding to the club, this will allow it to use underutilised space within the existing footprint of the building. 

It will also establish a new entry foyer to the VIP gaming area. 

The proposal also seeks to install 69 new gaming machines, bringing its total to 492 machines of a permitted 520 entitlement.

Gaming machines in clubs have faced increased scrutiny in recent years and NSW has been pressured to follow Victoria in tightening regulations.

From July 1, Responsible Gambling Officers (RGOs) will be introduced to licensed venues as part of a suite of gaming reforms being implemented to “promote proactive gambling harm minimisation”, according to the NSW Government.

▲ Whether the new facade designs improve the aesthetics of the club will be left to council and public opinion.

Founded in 1959, the Parramatta Leagues Club was dubbed “the house that Jack built” after its two founding partners, Jack Argent and Jack Boyle, launched it to support the Eels rugby league club.

This would be the latest in a series of major upgrades to the club with first floor alterations and additions carried out in in 2021 after major storm damage in 2019. 

After its new look was unveiled in 2022, however, locals criticised it as “the ugliest building in the Greater Sydney region” and an “eyesore”.

The site is also subject to a State Significant Development Application seeking to redevelop the at-grade carpark to build a 17-storey hotel with a cafe, pool, fitness centre and function room. 

The $140-million plans have faced opposition from some quarters, including Venues NSW, which runs the neighbouring Bankwest Stadium.

The long assessment time and other difficulties the plans are facing reflect the same struggles other clubs have faced in recent years.